September - Theology part 1

September 1

Theology

Basic Christian: Theology

Studying Theology

Theology is like piecing together a puzzle. Individual Theology pieces fit together and the picture begins to emerge. The picture Theology displays is the image of Jesus Christ!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him (Jesus Christ); and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. ~ John 1:1-4

Source: BasicChristian.org

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September 2

Adoption

Adoption - See also Born Again, Inheritance, & Predestination

First Use:Genesis 48:5-6 And now thy (Joseph's) two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I (Jacob) came unto thee into Egypt, are mine (adoption); as Reuben and Simeon (existing sons), they shall be mine. And the children, which thou begettest after them, shall be yours and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their
inheritance.

And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits ['Born Again'] of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to know, the redemption of our body. ~ Romans 8:23

Who are Israelites; to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; ~ Romans 9:4

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the Adoption of Sons. ~ Galatians 4:5

Having predestinated us unto the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ~ Ephesians 1:5

Adoption Biblically is slightly different than what we think of as adoption. For instance a stranger is not adopted into the family of God, like the concept we have of adoption where a non-family member becomes a family member through adoption. The Biblical concept of adoption is confirmation of adulthood of an existing family member and with adulthood comes privileges and inheritance. In the Bible Jacob actually adopted his two grandchildren Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob did not need to adopt them to make them family but he did need to adopt them to give them an inheritance in the promise land. Indeed Ephraim and Manasseh did receive inheritances in the promise land just like their uncles did, because they were adopted as sons and received the same inheritance as their uncles the sons of Jacob.

We are born into the family of God, through faith in the resurrection of Jesus in the new covenant. Jesus spoke to Nicodemus and told him that he must be “Born Again” in order to see the kingdom of God, [in Jesus the kingdom of God is now available] the First step to becoming a member in the family of God is to be born into the family as a child of God and that is done by the person accepting the covenant of God that we are His creation separated by our sin and that He loves us and died for our sins on the cross and then He resurrected from death to reconcile us to Him in His resurrection life. When we accept the “New Covenant” we are now in a correct relationship with God, we acknowledge that God exists and that we desire to have a relationship with Him. We have asked for forgiveness of our sins, we are now cleansed from our sin, we are now clean and God in Spirit has come inside of us giving us a new life in Him, our new birth into His family as a child of God.

Once we are a “born again” child of God we are then predestined (appointed outcome) to the adoption. The actual adoption takes place later, when we physically die and our spirit and soul enter the visible presence of God where we are then adopted as sons of God and being sons of God we then receive an inheritance in heaven (visible presence of God).

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September 3

Angels

Angels, Spirit beings: See also Mankind

Aggelos (G32) messenger, to bring tidings, the intermediary between the sender and the receiver of a message

First Use:First Use: Genesis 6:2 That the sons of God [angels] saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

Angel means messenger, Angels are God's messengers, His assistants. Angels do not deliver their own message but
they speak and assist when they are directed First from God. Angels are spirit beings, who are created by God for
companionship with God. The spirit realm is the permanent realm and angels as spirit beings have an everlasting
existence. Angels are “sons of God” this means three things; First they are each a unique creation of God. Angels
do not marry and have babies like humans do. God individually creates each angel. Second, being sons [family
members] they are in the visible presence of God. Third, being sons they have received an inheritance with
God.

Holy Angels: Note: Only holy (God's) people have holy (God's) Angels.
The Holy Angels are God's messengers sent to help and assist believing humans.

Are they (Holy Angels) not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them (people) who shall be heirs (inheritors) of salvation. ~ Hebrews 1:14

The fact that there are Angels is another way to prove that God exists. Angels are the messengers, having a messenger requires a sender and a receiver of the message. God is the sender of the
messenger and we are the receiver of God's message.

A lot of people in today's society will acknowledge the presence of angels and they are correct, angels do
exist as the Bible tells us that they do; to acknowledge angels requires us to acknowledge the sender of the
angel, God. True there are also plenty of unholy angels around, so it is very important to test every single
message and make certain that it comes from holy angels and matches the Holy Bible. Some people may indeed have an
angel communicating with them but it is in no means a holy angel of God if the message communicated does not match
the Bible.

Revelation 19:10 And I (disciple John) fell at his feet (Holy Angel) to worship him. And he
said to me, See you do it not: I am thy fellow servant and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus:
worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Fallen Angels: unholy angels

For verily He (Jesus) took not on Him the nature of Angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham {became a human, not an angel}.. to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. ~ Hebrews 2:16-17

Fallen angels are not eligible for redemption like fallen humans are. The reason is that because of the status of angels
from which they chose to rebel. It was in the presence of God, in their inherited body and from their inheritance
that some angels chose to rebel from and became fallen angels. There is not another inheritance or body for the
fallen angels; nor can they remain forever in the visible presence of God because of their sin.

Then shall He (God) say to them (unbelievers) on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels: ~ Matthew 25:41

And the angels which kept not their First estate, but left their own habitation (God given spiritual body), He hath reserved in everlasting chains {the more wicked fallen angels are chained}
under darkness (out of the visible presence of God) unto the judgment of the great day. ~ Jude ver. 6

And having made peace through the blood of His (Jesus) cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself, by Him, I say, whether they be things {humans} in earth or things {holy angels} in heaven. ~ Colossians 1:20

Angels in the past have rebelled against God. This verse indicates that since the cross of Jesus there will be no more new additional angels rebelling against God. But the angels that have rebelled against God will continue to rebel against God.

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September 4

Atonement

Atonement an ordained High Priest offering given for mankind and accepted by God

First Use:Exodus 29:33 And they shall eat those things wherewith atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy.

Atonement is an offering given by the offending party to the offended party. Offences separate and sever
relationships. When the relationship is severed it requires a mending in order to repair and re-establish the
broken relationship. The means to mend the broken relationship is called the atonement. Man has offended God.
After all, all God did was to create us, give us life, bring us into existence and love us. All man does is to
disobey and turn our backs and walk away from God. With this behavior it is necessary that the broken relationship
between God and man be mended. In this case man is so separated from the knowledge of who God is that mankind is
not even aware that we have so offended God and that the relationship is broken and needs to be repaired.

When two parties are no longer communicating there is need for a third party to intercede. This third party is
called the “mediator.” In this case, it is man that is not talking to or seeking after God, so God sent Jesus as a
mediator to get the attention of mankind and to tell mankind that we have broken the relationship with God {it is
not uncommon for the offending party to be so clueless that they are completely unaware of their offending
behavior}. Jesus has done much of this mediation by speaking to prophets and having the Bible written. The
relationship is so broken that many people even deny the existence of God. The most shattered a relationship can
become is to deny the existence of the other person. Jesus is mediating/talking to us on behalf of God, because
Jesus is God and therefore He is capable of talking for God and representing God.

When the broken relationship is identified as broken, it is then possible to determine a remedy (atonement). It
is up to the offended party to declare what is suitable to repair the relationship and it is up to the offending
party to desire to remedy the relationship otherwise the relationship will remain broken.

God being the offended one has declared that a relationship in the current sinful physical state of man is not
acceptable. God has determined that to repair the relationship it will be necessary to have a new birth, a new
Spiritual “Born Again” birth. Now it would normally be up to the offending party to meet the needs of the offended
one therefore restoring the relationship. In this case, man is not able to repair the breach, the brokenness is
too broken for us to repair. In this case God, has sent Himself to repair (atone) the separation on man's
behalf.

The atonement is what the offending party is offering to the offended party. God has a special category of
people that make offerings to Him. This group of people are called priests. A priest offers to God on behalf of
man, where a prophet receives from God and offers it to man. Because God is not upset with Himself and God is not
in a broken relationship with Himself, God has no need to make atonement with Himself. For this reason God had to
become a man. God had to become a man and serve as a Priest (High Priest) to offer atonement (repair) for the broken
relationship between man and God.

And he (Priest) shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin offering {an earthly priest First had to sacrifice for their own sin then they could offer atonement}, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make Atonement for them (people) and it shall be forgiven them. ~ Leviticus 4:20

For such a High Priest (Jesus) became us {we have}, Who is Holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth
not daily as those (earthly) high priests, to offer up sacrifice, First for their own sins and then for the people's: for this (offered for man's sins) He did once when He offered up Himself. ~ Hebrews 7:26-27

Jesus is unique in that He is both the Priest (man offering to God) and the offering.

After the offending party offers the repair (atonement) it is up to the offended party to determine if the
offering is acceptable and if acceptable, therefore repairing and restoring the relationship. We know beyond any
doubt that Jesus and what Jesus did as a Priest in offering atonement to God is acceptable to God and has repaired

the relationship between man and God. The reason that we know this is that God resurrected Jesus from death and
gave Him a new Spiritual body.

Concerning His (Father's) Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. ~ Romans 1:3

It is the resurrection of Jesus that shows us that Jesus is the Son of God.

And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (repair). ~ Romans 5:11

The atonement between man and God is complete and completed; there is no current or future work of atonement. We have received the work that Jesus as our High Priest did for us on the cross. The relationship between man and God is open and available. The atonement is a sacrifice that is offered from a priest to God. We do not receive atonement from God. God is not offering to us because He has not offended us. Now that the relationship between God and man has been atoned (repaired) it is now the responsibility of each individual person to take advantage of the repaired relationship and to have fellowship with God.

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September 5

Awake

Awake see also Sleep

First Use:Genesis 28:16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.

Awake is a word in the Bible that has two meanings. The physical meaning to awake from physical sleep and also
awareness - awake. Awake is to be aware, aware of God and His plan for mankind; aware of man's sinful predicament
and aware of what God is doing in our lives and the lives of others to fulfill His plans.

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. ~ Romans 13:11

Awake to righteousness and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:34

One note of caution: Becoming aware or awakening especially to problems, sin and end time predicaments,
unfortunately does not mean that we can do much about them. Sin is an interesting situation in that while we are
in sin and in danger of the death that will result from it, we are in denial and unaware of sin, so sin is not a
problem to us even though it is our biggest problem. Once we have our conversion and awake to our sin and the sin
of others, we now become aware of sin and instead of treating sin like the non-event it is to a Christian, now we
sometimes obsess with sin, our sin and the sin of others.

God is patient and God is longsuffering. God has allowed mankind much freedom to come to the knowledge of Him.
God has an end time plan that does involve the antichrist, it is God's perfect plan and God is going to allow it
to unfold and take place. Yes we are to be awake. Yes we are to pray and to be salt and light in a dark world but
we are not to worry and take things on ourselves that we have no control over. So be awake but more importantly be
at rest in the Lord Jesus and let Him take care of His world.

First Use:Genesis 1:22 And God blessed them (His created creatures), saying, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas and let fowl multiply in the earth.

Unto you First God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him (Jesus) to Bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. ~ Acts 3:26

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all Spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: ~ Ephesians 1:3

Blessing is a good word from God. Blessing means happy. It is a blessing to do the good things that God has prescribed for us. We often think of a blessing as a worldly gift like money, or opportunity. A blessing is a word from God; a blessing is more knowledge of God. Blessings can come from both bad and good sources. We can be
blessed, good word from God, in any circumstance that we are in. Someone [hopefully a non-Christian] can come up
to us and cause all kinds of problems for us and this can be a blessing. It can be a blessing because God can
still use bad circumstances to reveal Himself to us. Anytime God reveals Himself to us in a personal relationship, it is a blessing. These are often trying blessings but they are still blessings. Theses are blessings out of difficulties.

Another kind of blessing is a good blessing. Someone [hopefully a Christian] can come up to us and have
terrific interaction with us. They can speak to us and give us hope and joy directly from God, they might even
give us a gift to solve a need that we have. This is also a blessing and God uses good blessings to reveal Himself to us as well. This is the kind of blessing that the Christian wants to be. We want to be a blessing to others in blessing them.

And I (God) will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and though shalt be a blessing. ~ Genesis 12:2

Blessings are a cornerstone to the ministry of Jesus as Jesus taught blessings.

And seeing the multitudes, He (Jesus) went up into a mountain: and when He was set,
His disciples came unto Him: and He opened His mouth and taught them, saying,
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely,
for My sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the
prophets which were before you. ~ Matthew 5:1-12

Blessings, good words of God's instruction, are given by God throughout the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And God blessed them … ~ Genesis 1:27-28

Blessed are they that do His [Royal Law] commandments, that they may have the right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the gates into the (heavenly) city. ~ Revelation 22:14

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September 7

Body - Physical

Body, Flesh see also Spirit and Soul

Soma (G4983) body, visible expression, functioning unit
Verses - Matthew 26:26; John 2:21; Romans 8:10-13; 1 Corinthians 6:13; 2 Corinthians 4:10; Ephesians 3:6; Colossians 1:24
First Use:Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man (body) of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul (soul).

I [Apostle Paul] plead to you therefore, brethren [Christians], by the mercies of God, that all of you present your bodies a living [Melchizedek] sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable [fellowship with God] service. And be not conformed to this world: but be all of you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that all of you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ~ Romans 12:1-2

Wherefore when He [Messiah - Christ] comes into the world, He says, [Levitical] Sacrifice and offering You [Father God] would not [desire], but a [human - relationship] body have You [Holy Spirit] prepared Me [Jesus Christ]: ~ Hebrews 10:5

Body is one of the three components that make up, the human being. The other two components are a soul
(awareness) and a spirit (everlasting life). The physical body is the abode/dwelling for our spirit and soul. The
physical body has the important job of visible interaction in our physical world. We might be very happy and
pleased with someone, but they would never know it unless we bodily vocalized our vocal chords and spoke, or
gestured in an understood pleasing way. If we wrote a note or smiled, hugged and greeted someone warmly, they
would presume that we are conveying to them our emotions of joy toward them.

Without the physical bodily ability to express our soul we would not have interaction with other people. Our
body exits to function in a physical world and to express our soul. If we damage our body and physically it can no
longer represent our soul we then suffer death and the spirit and soul separate from the body and go into the
presence of God. God and only God has complete control over our spirit. Our spirit and soul remain in our body at
the direction of God and according to God's knowledge and in God's time we suffer physical death. Only Jesus on
the cross was able to direct His Spirit into the presence of God. God commands our spirit to remain in our body;
at God's direction our spirit and soul separate from our body and at Gods direction the spirit and soul either
remain in heaven or are imprisoned in hell. According to the Bible there is absolutely no such thing as human
ghosts. The ghosts that we deal with are demon spirits masquerading as human ghosts. But there are absolutely no
human spirits wandering the earth.

Part of what the earthly physical body has to represent is sin and the fallen nature of man. So our bodies
carry in them the penalty of sin. We suffer pain, sickness and eventually death. One of the surest ways to know
that mankind is suffering from sin is to look at our physical bodies and to realize that our existence in this
body is temporary. Nothing on the earth is more temporary than our bodies. There are many forms of disease and
types of physical disabilities; none of these physical conditions hinders a person's relationship with God. No
physical condition represents our spiritual condition. People look and feel great as they use their healthy
energetic bodies to sin against God and people in all sorts of ailments glorify God.

God is worshiped in spirit; we can be in any physical predicament and still have fellowship and communion with
God. We do nothing for God in the physical realm, unless it is being done with our hearts. Again our bodies
represent our souls so when we do something physical like sing, pray, preach, it is the expression of our soul.
God actually looks at our heart (soul) and hears us pray from our soul. It is with our internal beliefs that we
have a relationship with God. Our physical bodies communicate our internal beliefs.

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September 8

Born Again

Born Again see also Child of God, Adoption, Sons of God

Gennao (G1080) from Genos “kind”; reproduce in same kind, regenerate, give birth
Anothen (G509) Ano “above”; above, anew, again; “Born from Above”
Verses - Jeremiah 31:31-33; Ezekiel 37:26; John 3:3-4; Galatians 4:29; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:9 4:7First Use OT:Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. {Born the First time}
Fulfilled NT:John 20:22 And when He (Jesus) had said this, He breathed on them (disciples) and saith unto them, Receive you the Holy Spirit. {Born Again, Born from Above}

Born again or “Born from Above” is an actual Spiritual event/occurrence. Jesus is literally breathing His
Spirit of God into us, giving us new Spiritual life. The First people in the Bible to become Born Again were the
people gathered together in the upper room on the day of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. We celebrate this day
and call it Easter, but the appropriate name for the celebration is “Resurrection Sunday”. On Resurrection Sunday,
Jesus breathed/baptized the believing disciples making them “Born Again” new Spiritual creations and now Spiritual
children of God.

Then the same (Resurrection) day at evening, being the First day (Sunday) of the week.. came Jesus and stood in the midst and said unto them (disciples), Peace be unto you… He
(Jesus) breathed on them and saith unto them, Receive (by faith in the Resurrection of Jesus) you the Holy Spirit (become a Christian): ~ John 20:19-23

I (John the Baptist) indeed baptize you with water unto repentance (attitude change): but He (Jesus) that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:
He (Jesus) shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire: ~ Matthew 3:11

In Israel when the person who was to redeem a close relative refused to redeem that person, they signified their lack of desire to redeem by removing
their shoe. John is saying that Jesus is mightier, that Jesus is the redeemer. John does not want to interfere
(remove Jesus' shoe) with the redemptive work Jesus came to do. Deuteronomy 25:7-9, Ruth 4:7-8. Also, only a close
relative can be the redeemer. This is part of the Virgin birth of Jesus; if Jesus had an earthly father He would
only be a close redeeming relative to a few people. Because Jesus is our creator (we are made in His image) and He has no earthly father, Jesus is the closest relative, to each human.

Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit by breathing on His disciples. It is very important to note that this
baptism is not an experience baptism. Jesus said to the disciples “receive the Holy Spirit”. The Born Again
“experience” is actually not an experience. We are saved by faith not by experience. By faith we receive the
baptism (breath) of Jesus. There have been no changes in the Church since the night Jesus stood in the midst of
the disciples and breathed on them. We still become Born Again, “Born from Above” the same way the First disciples
did, by acknowledging the resurrection of Jesus and by receiving by faith the Born Again baptism from Jesus. If
the resurrected Jesus has not breathed on us as His disciple then we do not have the Holy Spirit and we are not
yet born again, children of God.

Forty days after this event, the disciples were then baptized with fire and the Holy Spirit this is an
experiential baptism. This baptism is the baptism that empowers the born again disciple to now be a Christian
witness of Jesus. When Christians ask a person if they have experienced being born again, this is really what they
are referring to. It is very possible to be born again but not to be empowered by the Holy Spirit as a witness. We
become Born Again at our decision when we recognize that Jesus is our near relative redeemer, that we are dead
without His life. The day that we recognize the resurrection (Life) of Jesus is the day that Jesus will Himself
personally baptize us (Born Again) with His Holy Spirit of everlasting life. This is the Born Again baptism that
we receive by faith. The baptism of fire is an experiential baptism. This baptism happens later in the life of the
born again disciple. At God's choosing, God will give us various experiences and empower us to be His witness.
This experience baptism comes from seeking God.

And the LORD called unto the Adam and said unto him, Where art thou? ~ Genesis 3:9

Called (all are called to a personal relationship with God) –> Chosen
(those who have responded to the Call) –> Elect (of the chosen, elected or appointed to a specific purpose for
God) –> Glorified (Accomplished in God's specific plan).

Abraham –> Isaac –> Jacob –> Joseph

Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also Glorified. ~ Romans 8:30

Called is to be bidden, or invited. A call is an invitation. All are called (invited). To be physically born as a human being, created in the image of God, is to be called (invited) into a relationship with God.

Jesus answered and said, This voice (The Father, speaking from heaven, glorifying Jesus) came not because of Me, but for your (disciples) sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince (Satan) of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up (crucifixion & resurrection) from the earth, will draw (call / invite) all men to Me. ~ John 12:30-32

Wherefore Jesus also (was sacrificed outside the city, at Calvary), that He might sanctify (set us apart for God's use) the people with His own blood, (He) suffered outside the gate (outside the city). Let us (bidding, calling) go forth therefore unto Him (Jesus) outside the camp, bearing (having) His reproach (rejection of this world). For here (this fallen sinful world) have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come (Heaven). ~ Hebrews 13:12-14

Biblical Example: Abraham

Now the LORD God said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country and from thy kindred and from thy fathers house, unto a land that I will show thee. ~ Genesis 12:1

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a new place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed: and he went out not knowing where he was to go. ~ Hebrews 11:8

Abraham, the father of faith, heard the calling of God and Abraham responded to God. Abraham left his old life and went to have a relationship with God. This did not make Abraham without faults. Abraham still made plenty of
mistakes but now Abraham had a new life and a new friend in life, God. God became the friend of Abraham, that is the call. The call is an invitation into friendship with God.

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God. … Unto the Church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with
all (Christians) that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs (Corinth) and ours (Christians throughout the earth): ~ 1 Corinthians 1:1-2

The Christians at the city of Corinth, worship the same God, Jesus, as all Christians no matter where they are on the earth.

Who (Jesus) hath saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world
began. ~ 2 Timothy 1:9

God has called (invited) us into a relationship with Himself. God did not call us to do work for Him. In fact God did all the work (creation & redemption). God has called us to rest in the work that He has completed. It is
not work to obey God, nor is it work to worship God. Abraham was not working to make himself pleasing to God or to get God's attention. Everyone already has God's attention. God called Abraham to come have a relationship with Him
and Abraham responded and proceeded to the promise land and received the promises of God in the “promise land.”

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September 10

Chosen

Eklegomai (G1586) Ek - out of; Lego - words; select, make choice, choose out, chosen
Verses - Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:14; Proverbs 1:29; Isaiah 58:5-6; Ephesians 1:4; James 2:5; Revelation 17:14
First Use:Genesis 6:2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. ~ Genesis 13:11

Called (all are called to a personal relationship with God) –> Chosen
(those who have responded to the Call) –> Elect (of the chosen, elected or appointed to a specific purpose for
God) –> Glorified (Accomplished in God's specific plan).

Abraham –> Isaac –> Jacob –> Joseph

Chosen are the people that have responded to God's call. It is necessary to First respond to God and to obey
the calling of God to be in the promise land. Ishmael was not a child of obedience, he was a child of servitude
being born to Hagar the servant. Isaac was the child of God's calling, born free, born in the land of promise.
When we answer God's call and respond to God we are in a right relationship with God and are in the promise land.
The chosen are only chosen in the promise land. Had Abraham not responded to God's call and gone to the promise
land. Isaac could not be the chosen child. Had Isaac been born anywhere in the world, he would just be another
person, but he was born in the promise land and therefore receives the promises of God.

And the servant said unto him (Abraham), Peradventure the woman (Isaac's bride)
will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son (Isaac) again unto the land
from whence thou (Abraham) camest? And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son
thither again… only bring not my son thither again. ~ Genesis 24:5-8

… for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. ~ Genesis 21:12

Now we (Church) brethren as Isaac was (chosen), are the children of promise. ~ Galatians 4:28

When we accept Jesus and are born again into the family of God, we, like Isaac, are in the promise land of God and like

Isaac we are the children of God's promises. Of the called those that respond to the call become chosen. God does
choose with complete knowledge. God has complete knowledge of all past, present and future thoughts, actions and
events. God uses His knowledge to make His choices.

Biblical Example: Isaac
Isaac is “chosen” over Ishmael to be the child to receive the promises of God.

And as for Ishmael, I (God) have heard thee (Abraham): Behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful,.. But my covenant will I establish with Isaac. ~ Genesis 17:20-21

Isaac is an example of being chosen. Isaac was chosen because he was born in the promise land and because he was born free. Ishmael was also a
child of Abraham but he was a child born as a servant. Only the children that are born into the family are free,
while children born from a servant remain a servant. Only those that are born in the promise land can be chosen to receive the promises of God. Isaac fit all the conditions to be chosen. He was born into the family, he accepted his family, he was not a child of slavery and he remained in the promise land his entire life.

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September 11

Christian

A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ

Christianos (G5546) Christ like, follower of Christ Jesus
Verses - Isaiah 62:2; Acts 11:26 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16
First Use:Acts 11:26.. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the Church and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians First in (the city of)
Antioch.

Then Agrippa [Roman king overseeing part of Judea] said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. ~ Acts 26:28

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on his behalf. ~ 1 Peter 4:16

Christian means Christ like this means we will exhibit some of the same characteristics and personalities that
originate in Jesus. Being Christ like in our new nature is completely different than becoming a Christ. Humans
will never become a God, nor will we become our own Savior, nor do we take the place or even stand in the place of
God. We simply become similar to Jesus in our behavior.

It is interesting that the disciples did not First call themselves Christians, but that the Christ like conduct
of the disciples led others to call them Christians. Additionally, Christians do not become disciples but
disciples become Christians.

Christians are not blameless people, but we are forgiven people. In fact, the only difference between
Christians and non-Christians, is Jesus. But Jesus makes the biggest difference the world will ever see. With
Jesus there is reconciliation to God and life, without Jesus there is just sin, misery and death.

Christian is Christ like; this is the outward appearance of our baptism in Jesus. We become identified with
Jesus. Baptism means to take on the appearance of another. If we walked down a busy street, chances are we could
identify professional people, tourists, homeless people, gang members and a whole variety of people, that are in
appearance and character to their beliefs, actions and situations. These people are identifiable with their peer
groups; they are in baptism with their various functions of the day. If we looked and listened closer we might see
a tourist with a cross around their neck, or a professional person carrying a Bible to read and hear as a homeless
person prays to Jesus and speaks of their unshakable faith in God, despite their circumstances. This is because
being a Christian is not limited to cultural expectations. These people are Christians First and foremost and they
then function in society, but the world recognizes their Christ like attributes despite their circumstances and
the world calls them Christians.

And I (Jesus) say also unto thee, That thou art Peter and upon this rock {the individual's rock solid confession that Jesus is God} I will build my Church: and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it. ~ Matthew 16:18

The Church, the “called out ones” are the people who answer God's calling to remove themselves from this worldly system, to respond and have a Spiritual relationship with God.

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor effeminate (homosexual prostitution), nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

All Christians are people who have been redeemed from their sins and into the presence of God.

Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will He teach sinners in the way (way of life). ~ Psalms 25:8

The Church is a collection of both Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. ~ Galatians 3:28

There is not a distinction among peoples and groups in the eyes of God in the Church of Jesus. There are still Jews and Gentiles that do not accept Jesus and are not a part of the Church.

The Jews have had a six thousand year relationship with God. About 4,000 years before the incarnation of Jesus
God was interacting with Abraham. The promises and covenants of God belong to the Jews. It is the blood of Jesus
that brings the gentiles into the promises and covenants that the Jews already have. Gentiles do not become Jews,
but become Christians. Jesus is the fulfillment of all the Biblical promises to the Jews.

Ephesians 2:11-14 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which
is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from
the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the
world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh (close) by the blood of Christ.
For He is our peace, Who hath made both one and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Deceived is to think that a lie is actually the truth and to embrace and hold a lie instead of the truth.
People will go a long way for what they think is the truth. If someone has accepted as truth and believes that
space aliens exist, they will process all thought information to continue their belief of space aliens. They will
also preach their truth, which is actually a lie, to other people attempting to persuade others of their position.

The deceived will embrace any hardship or disagreement, as persecution. Feeling persecuted they will then remain
even more steadfast in their position while reason, facts or circumstances will have little bearing on their
position. Since people will fight harder for what they think is the truth, Satan has done a big job of convincing
many people to believe lies and then gotten them to fight vigorously to defend what is simply a lie.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. ~ 2 Corinthians 11:13-14

The battle for the truth begins and ends in the mind. Deception can only occur First in the thought process and
then our actions are carried out by what we believe from our thoughts. The battle for the mind is revealed in the
Bible as the battle for a walled and gated city. The gates of the city are where the legal decisions (cities
thought process) were made. If during an attack the enemy could gain possession and control the gates of a city
then the city would be helpless and would be in the hands of the enemy as the enemy controlled all access into and
out of the city.

And they blessed Rebekah and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them. ~ Genesis 25:60

We possess our own gates or faculties but we are susceptible to lies and deception. The correct thing for us to
do is to entrust our gates (faculties) to God. We need daily to be refreshed from God by meeting Him in prayer and
Bible devotions. In modern times we are bombarded with information from every variety of media. Most of the
information is just simply deceit. The only truth we will ever find in this world is written in the pages of the
Bible. God leads those who want to be led by Him. God will lead us in paths of righteousness. Let's look to God
and not to information that comes from people who deny the very existence of God.

Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore. ~ Psalms 16:11

And this is condemnation, that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. ~ John 3:19

And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. ~ Genesis 45:7

Deliverance is the removal from harm and danger by an additional friendly helper. To be delivered is to have
help and assistance and to be removed from whatever the danger is. To know God is to be delivered from the danger
of spiritual death. There are other dangers, perils and toils in life. God has many ways to deliver us from our
various problems. Some problems God will never have us encounter. Some problems God will remove painlessly from
us. Other problems God will use to strengthen us and He will hold our hand and walk with us as we grow in faith
and perseverance while we get through these problems. It is important to know and to understand that a person's
circumstances have no obvious bearing on their relationship with God. We could have problems on top of problems
and God could seem to be far from us with no deliverance in sight. Our problems, or lack thereof, do not indicate
our relationship to God. A person without a care in the world might also have no relationship with God.

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god
of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious
gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus
the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,
hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But
we have this treasure (spirit/soul) in earthen vessels (human-flesh/body), that the excellency of
the power may be of God, and not of us. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:3-7

… And the disciples were called Christians First in (the city of) Antioch. ~ Acts 11:26

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. ~ John 14:26

Disciple is a follower of a teaching. The Hebrew word Rabbi (Master) means teacher or instructor. A Rabbi is a very knowledgeable instructor; one that has mastered the subject in which the Rabbi is instructing

The same came to Jesus by night and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with Him. ~ John 3:2

The disciple is not the teacher but the learner. God is the teacher, man is the student. We are instructed to make disciples of people. This means that we are to teach people to look to and to learn from God the teacher.

But the anointing [presence of the Holy Spirit] which ye have received of Him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is
true and is no lie and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him. ~ 1 John 2:27

But ye have an unction (anointing) from the Holy One and ye know all things. ~ 1 John 2:20

It is interesting that it is the disciples that are then called Christians. We do not become a Christian and then become a disciple. It is in our being a disciple of Jesus our studying God, our getting to know God and through reflecting Jesus Christ, that others will call us a Christian.

And why call me Lord, Lord and do not the things which I say? ~ Luke 6:46

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September 16

Dunamis Power

God's Power - Dunamis Power

Dunamis (G1411) ability, miraculous power, able, possible, might, strength
Verses - Matthew 22:29 24:30 26:64; Acts 6:8; Romans 1:4,16,20 15:13-19; 1 Corinthians 1:18-24; Revelation 20:6
First Use:Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power (dunamis) and the Glory, forever. Amen.

But ye (disciples) shall receive power (dunamis), after the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me (Jesus) both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto
the farthest part of the earth. ~ Acts 1:8

Dunamis power is God's power as compared to man's power. God's dunamis power is displayed in creation and the
resurrection. God is the power of life and resurrection. This dunamis power is the power of the believer who is
walking in the Spirit of God; a believer who is empowered with God's power compared to self-human power. Compare
the amount of water a man can hold in the palm of his hand “self power” to all the oceans of the world as God's
power. God is limitless in His power and ability. God's dunamis-power makes living as a Christian very exciting.
Every moment and every encounter has the ocean of possibilities of being a Divine encounter. When we walk in God's
Spirit, being led by God, we can encounter any possibility, meet any person and have any opportunity.

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power (dunamis) of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 2:5

And God hath both raised up the Lord and will also raise us by His own power (dunamis). ~ 1 Corinthians 6:14

Called (all are called to a personal relationship with God) –> Chosen (those who have responded to the Call)
–> Elect (of the chosen, elected or appointed to a specific purpose for God)
–> Glorified (Accomplished in God's specific plan).

Abraham –> Isaac –> Jacob –> Joseph

Peter [one of the original 12 disciples of Jesus], an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers (sojourners) scattered throughout (the earth).. elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you and peace be multiplied. ~ 1 Peter 1:1-2

Who shall lay (make accusations) any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. ~ Romans 8:33

God has justified (made right) Christians, therefore God is not going to listen to accusations (charges of wrong doing) He died to make us just. No amount of accusations can undo the sacrifice and cleansing blood of Jesus.

For I (God) know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end … ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Election is appointment. When someone has a relationship with God, part of the relationship is to fulfill the reason that God has created us.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created. ~ Revelation 4:11

God has created every person for a reason, First to have a relationship with God and during our relationship with God we get to get involved in the plans and activities of God. God has included us and made us a part of His activities.

That ye (Christians) would walk worthy of God, Who hath called you unto His Kingdom and Glory. ~ 1 Thessalonians 1:11

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of Darkness into his marvelous
light: ~ 1 Peter 2:9

And He (Angel of the Lord) said to him (Jacob) what is thy name? And he said Jacob. And He said thy name shall be called no more Jacob (stumble) but Israel (governed by
God): ~ Genesis 32:27-28

Jacob is an example of election:

Jacob had a relationship with God. Jacob even wrestled with God but in the end, Jacob was renamed by God from
Jacob to Israel (Submitted to God). Israel was elected to a specific plan for God. Israel (Jacob) was to become
the father of the nation Israel. The twelve sons and two of his grandsons became all of the components of the
nation Israel. We like Jacob need to become Israel, submitted to God. It is submitting to God and following His
plan that makes us elect.

Note, there are God's elect (chosen for a purpose) in God's kingdom of righteousness. There is also another
kingdom, the kingdom of darkness of which Satan is the evil ruler. Satan also has his chosen elect to do his
tasks. When we reject God we make ourselves available to Satan.

All humans are called to a relationship with God. Not everyone answers the call of God; some people answer and serve the call of Satan. Some people become the elect of Satan. The Pharaoh in Egypt who kept the children of God in slavery and would not obey God by letting them go, is one example of Satan's elect. The coming disobedient Antichrist is another example of someone that will have rejected the calling of God and accepted the calling of Satan. Judas also rejected God's calling and chose to follow Satan in betraying Jesus. Everyone who serves Satan knowingly or unknowingly does it by rejecting God. By clawing, fighting, backstabbing, lying, cheating, killing, stealing and destroying their way to the top. Unfortunately it is the top of Satan's heap and he has nothing eternal to offer. God does not choose people for evil. God does allow people to choose which kingdom they will serve in and to then let them fulfill roles in each kingdom. Roles of righteousness in preaching, teaching, helping in God's kingdom and roles of destruction in persecution, disobedience and deceit in Satan's kingdom.

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September 18

End Times

End Times the last time that man will be out of the perceived presence of God

Eschatos (G2078) “Eschatology” last, end, in chronological order, the last as opposed to the beginning
Hora (G5610) “Hour” time, times, day, season, duration
Verses - John 6:39; Acts 2:17; 2 Timothy 3:1; 1 Peter 1:5,20; 2 Peter 3:3; 1 John 2:18; Jude 1:18First Use:Genesis 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.

End times or last days are signified as the last times that man will be out of the perceived presence of God.
End times does not mean the end of the world or the end of time it means the end of man's separation from God.
Since the beginning of creation God has been revealing Himself to mankind. Since the fall of mankind God has
continued to reveal Himself, but to a separated mankind. When God and mankind are fully reunited, God will
continue to reveal Himself to man, although man will no longer be guessing about God since man will be in the
perceivable presence of God.

The end times are a call to mankind that the end of separation from God is almost over. The call to man is to
prepare to meet God, prepare to meet our maker.

Little children, it is the last time: … And now, little children, abide in Him; that when He shall appear, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. ~ 1 John 2:18-28

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September 19

Evangelism

Evangelism telling of the "Good News" Message

Euaggelistes (G2099) Eu - well, good, well done; Aggelos - Angel, messenger; preacher, proclaimer of the gospel, good and well done messenger
Verses - Galatians 1:8; Luke 3:18; Romans 15:9; Ephesians 4:11; Colossians 1:23; 2 Timothy 4:2; Hebrews 4:2; Revelation 5:2
First Use:Acts 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company {including Luke who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts} departed and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven {the First seven helpers chosen Acts 6:1-6}; and abode with him.

And He (Jesus) gave some, apostles; evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; ~ Ephesians 4:11

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof (accomplish, fulfill) of thy ministry (service). ~ 2 Timothy 4:5

Evangelism is to preach or proclaim the good news. The good news that God has not abandoned us to our sin but God in Jesus has rescued us from death. This is good news, this is the best news, an everlasting relationship with the loving, providing God.

Evangelism is the message of salvation in Christ Jesus. To be saved it is necessary to know that you are in danger of death and separation from God for eternity. The evangelistic message is therefore a two-part message. The message of sin and death and the message of life and resurrection in Jesus. It is necessary to proclaim both parts of the message. A message that is all sin, death and despair is not the gospel (good news) and a message that is all good news does not adequately portray the predicament of mankind nor does it adequately portray the cross and the sacrifice of Jesus.

What Abraham believed is that God is the God of Life. God had just promised Abraham that He and Sarah would become parents even though both of them were too old to have children.
Abraham believed that God could give life where none existed and God counts that belief in God as righteousness.

But without faith [noun] it is impossible to please Him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe [verb] that He is (God exists) and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. ~ Hebrews 11:6

Faith is a trust, a belief that we are safe and secure in the object of our faith. Moment by moment we have
faith in a variety of people and objects. We have faith in airline pilots to safely get us to the correct
destination. We have faith in doctors to diagnose and treat our illnesses. We have faith in the food we eat, the
beverages we drink and the automobiles we drive. Faith is not a foreign concept to us; we are constantly putting
our faith in many different things at any one moment. Just like we have faith in so many events during each day,
God has asked us to have faith in Him. God has asked us to have abundant faith in Him because our faith is
lacking, regarding the abilities of God.

There is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, Who is above all and through all [Everlasting] and in you (Christians) all. ~ Ephesians 4:4-6

The Bible has one specific meaning for the word faith. Faith is specifically a faith in the resurrection of
Jesus. Faith does not mean, “I have faith that God will pay the bills”. God may or may not pay the bills, either
way God is doing a work and He has a purpose for whatever He does or doesn't do. The faith, the one and only
Christian faith, is in the resurrection of Jesus. When we have true faith the belief in the resurrection of Jesus
and that through Jesus we too will be resurrected to everlasting life with Jesus in heaven, then who cares about
anything else? Who cares if the bills don't get paid? Who cares what the governments of the world are doing? who
cares if disease is racking the body? When there is faith in eternity, then the things of this world take a back
seat to the things of God. Faith in the resurrection does free us up; it frees us up from the worries of this
world. Sure there are bills to be paid, corrupt governments and illnesses to be dealt with, but when we deal with
life in the context of eternity and the living caring God we are then freed up to make better decisions and
choices.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. ~ Galatians 2:20

Faith is as good as the “object of faith” is capable of producing. I might have faith in a certain company that
my money will be safe and secure there and then choose to buy stock in that company. My faith in that company does
not affect that company at all, either for good or for bad. It could happen that my faith in that company paid off
and the company did real well It also could be that my faith was misplaced and the company did poorly. Either way
the result was a product of the company and not a result of my faith.

Let's continue to look at faith. Faith is not a power faith is a trust. Faith is to trust in the abilities of
the object of faith. Faith is strictly dependent on the object. I might have faith that an airplane will take off
and land safely, or not and based on my faith in the airplane, I would make my decisions to ride on the plane or
to take a bus. Either way the airplane is unaffected by my faith choice. The plane doesn't land successfully or
crash based on my faith. Jesus, the object of our faith, He is all-capable. It is our faith that is lacking, not
the capabilities of Jesus. We need to increase our faith and trust in Jesus to adequately represent Jesus.

In the Greek language most of the words have the same base for each meaning. With slight changes, usually on
the end of the word, the meaning of the word changes. The same is true for the English language. For instance,
angel becomes plural just by modifying the end of the word angel by adding the letter s, angels. Words that are
nouns and verbs are also usually closely related. The noun talk, can also become the verb talk, talks, or talking.

The two Greek words Pistis (faith) and Pisteuo (belief) are the same word with two different endings just like
talk and talking. In English we do not say faith and faithing, but we say faith and belief, just like we might say
talk and speak. Faith and belief are the same word. They both mean trust. Sometimes we think that if only I
believe then I would gain faith, except that is like saying if only I could speak then I could talk.

Faith (trust) does not come from believing (trusting), but faith is a product of love. But faith which worketh by love (Galatians 5:6). Love comes First and then faith (trust) comes from love. Our faith in Jesus comes from our love of Jesus.

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September 21

Fasting

Fasting to do without while focusing on God

Nesteia (G3521) abstain, go without, not take part in
Verses - Isaiah 58:3-4; Matthew 16:6; Acts 13:2-3; 2 Corinthians 6:5 11:27
First Use:Judges 20:26 Then all the children of Israel and all the people, went up and came unto the House of God and wept and sat there before the LORD and fasted that day until even and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

Is it such a fast that I (God) have chosen? A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Wilt thou call this a fast and an acceptable day of the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens and to let the oppresses go free and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning and thy health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rear guard. Then shalt thou call and the LORD shall answer; thou shall cry and He shall say here I am. … ~ Isaiah 58:5-12

Fasting is doing without. For instance, avoiding anger or jealousy, also examining our thoughts and speech are all acceptable fasts. Going without food is also a powerful fast in that the flesh and self-life are being denied. Hunger is a natural physical instinct, when we deny our hunger, our bodies let us know that we are hungry. The power in this type of fast is to then take that physical reminder of hunger and to be reminded that actually I hunger spiritually for the things of God. Throughout the time of the fast we are continually using the desire for food to remind us of our desire for God and in doing so we are re-adjusting our focus onto God. By the end of the fast we are more in the habit of seeking God and less in the habit of seeking self. Fasting is not a tool to gain God's recognition. The fast is a tool to readjust our focus and for us to seek God. When we seek God we will find Him.

… And Jesus rebuked the devil (demon); and he departed out of him (a man's son): and the child was cured that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart (away from the crowd)
and said, Why could not we cast him (demon) out? … Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. ~ Matthew 17:14-21

This necessary fasting to help others overcome demonic possession, oppression and strongholds, is the fasting of helping and bondage breaking. The gifts that God has given us are to loosen the bonds that keep people in captivity. The gifts include helps - helping people with various tasks; giving - giving to relieve burdens, teaching - explaining the truths about God from the Bible. Any of the gifts
used in conjunction with prayer are going to weaken and remove the demonic strongholds that Satan is trying to entangle into in the lives of humans.

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September 22

Fear

Fear is the Acknowledgement of Danger

Phobos (G5401) “Phobia”; discomfort, fright, alarm, terror
Verses - Psalms 2:11; Proverbs 1:7; Isaiah 2:10; Romans 3:18; 2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 5:7; 1 John 4:18
First Use:Genesis 9:2 And the fear of you (people) shall be and the dread of you shall be upon every beast (animal) of the earth and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand they are delivered.

When Noah, his family and the earth's animals departed the ark after the flood, God put a fear of man in all the animals. Prior to the flood animals were tame. This is where animals became wild and distant from humans. God did this for man's protection. When sin entered the world some animals became poisonous and others became dangerous, if dangerous animals did not keep their distance
from people, then man would always be battling with animals.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: ~ Psalms 111:10

Fear is a feeling of fright, of being overcome, overtaken or overpowered. Fear is the acknowledgement of
danger. Fear is the beginning of the wisdom of God. Wisdom comes from knowing that God exists and that with Him
His judgment exists. We are to fear being judged by God. Some people do not have the fear of God; they are
deceived into thinking everything is going to be ok. They have deceived themselves into dismissing God and His
judgment against sin.

The Greek word for fear is phobos which is where we get the word phobia. Phobias are fears like closterphobia - fear of closed places, arachnophobia - fear of spiders. We are to fear God. He is awesome in His power. He is to be glorified, honored and worshiped.

We no longer fear the judgment of God through Jesus we have a relationship of love with God.

There is no fear in love; but perfect (complete) love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. ~ 1 John 4:18

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September 23

Fellowship

Fellowship is Friendship!

Koinonia (G2842) participation, interaction, communication, fellowship, interaction among friends
Verses - Psalms 94:20; Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Philippians 1:5, 2:1, 3:10; 1 John 1:3,6,7
First Use:Leviticus 6:2 If a soul sin and commit a trespass against the LORD and lie unto his neighbor in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbor;.. Then it shall be, because he hath sinned and is guilty, …

Fellowship is friendship. Friendship is a rare gift given to us by God from the cross of Jesus. The cross of Jesus provides the basis of friendship. Mankind would still be at enmity with God and mankind would be at enmity with each other without the cross of reconciliation of Jesus. Mankind without God is incapable of friendship. Without God, man could never fully view another human as a friend. There would always be the possibility that fellow man would cease to be a friend and become a competitor, a threat, a danger, even an enemy instead of a friend and as a competitor competing for materials and resources that are needed to sustain our life. With God we know that it is God that sustains our existence and our life, that God is capable of taking care of us in any situation. Relying on God frees us up to have friendship with God and with our fellow mankind.

And they [common Christians] continued stedfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. ~ Acts 2:42

God is faithful, by whom all of you were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:9

That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. ~ Philippians 3:10-11

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September 24

Freewill - freedom

Freewill a personal enactment through personal choice

Eleutheros (G1658) free, unrestrained, without obligation, citizen as opposed to a slave
Thelema (G2307) will, determination, choice, inclination, desire, pleasure
Verses - Deuteronomy 12:11; Psalms 119:108; Proverbs 1:29; Matthew 10:8; Acts 2:29; 2 Corinthians 11:7; Philippians 1:22; Revelation 21:6, 22:17
First Use:Leviticus 22:18 Speak unto Aaron and to his sons and unto all the children of Israel and say unto them, Whatsoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his obligation [required giving] for all his vows and for all his freewill [volunteer giving] offerings, which they will offer unto the LORD for a burnt offering:

I (King Artaxerxes) make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee. ~ Ezra 7:13

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: ~ Deuteronomy 30:19

Freewill is enacted through choice. If there is no choice then the freewill is meaningless and cannot be exercised. From the beginning of creation God has desired to have only a mutual freewill relationship with mankind.

For that they hated knowledge and did not choose [exercise freewill, correctly] the fear of the LORD: ~ Proverbs 1:29

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. ~ Romans 8:2

Fruit is the substance from the plant. Fruit occurs naturally based on the type of tree or plant. An orange
tree will have the orange fruit and a lemon tree will naturally have the lemon fruit. A tree does not become an
orange tree by producing oranges, a tree produces oranges because that is what it is First. A good tree will bear
good fruit and a bad tree will bear bad fruit. The easiest way to identify what kind a tree is, is not to look at
the leaves but to look at the fruit. The fruit makes it evident what type the tree is.

We as Christians produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit because that is part of what we are.

I (Jesus) am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much Fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. ~ John 15:5

But the Fruit of the (Holy) Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. ~ Galatians 5:22-23

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September 26

Glorification

Glorification - Accomplished see also Called, Chosen, Election

Doxazo (G1392) dignity, glory, honor, praise, worship, magnify, accomplishment
Verses - Romans 1:21 8:17,30; 2 Corinthians 10:17; Galatians 1:24; 2 Thessalonians 1:10-12; 1 Peter 4:11; Revelation 18:7
First Use:Genesis 31:1 And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory (accomplishment). The sons of Laban were complaining because their brother-in-law, Jacob, had ended up with the flock that Laban had Jacob overseeing. This was God's plan. Laban was not acknowledging God; also Laban was cheating Jacob. God desired to share His glory with Jacob. The sons of Laban were looking at the glory of their father Laban and they received it, nothing. The sons should have been looking for the glory of God.

Thy right hand, O LORD is become glorious in power: thy right hand O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy…Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praise, doing wonders? ~ Exodus 15:6-11

Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified. ~ Romans 8:30

Called (all are called to a personal relationship with God) –> Chosen (responded to the Call) –> Elect (of the chosen, elected or appointed to a specific purpose for God) –>
Glorified (Accomplished in God's specific plan).

Abraham –> Isaac –> Jacob –> Joseph

The heavens declare the glory (accomplishment) of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork. ~ Psalms 19:1

Glorification is accomplishment. God is accomplished in anything God desires to do, He is complete and He alone is Glory. When we take part in the plans and desires of God, we take part in His glory. We give glory to God by allowing His Glory to be accomplished in us.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. ~ Psalms 84:11

And the city (New Jerusalem) had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof. ~ Revelation 21:23

God's glory of accomplishment is like the sun shining. A ray of light leaves the sun; the ray is an exact representation of the sun it left. Jesus is an exact representation of the Father. As the ray of sun shines forth light and warmth it removes darkness and warms the earth; it provides light and facilitates life (bios). The sun is accomplishing through the ray of light all that it desires to do, in splendid glory and accomplishment.

His glory is great in thy salvation: honor and majesty hast thou laid upon Him. ~ Psalms 21:5

God has glorified Himself in His accomplishment of creation and redemption. This is Glory, that God spoke and at the sound of His voice, into existence came life and that abundantly. This is God's glory, that He so loved the world that He gave Himself that whosoever believes in Him will live. This is God's glory, God has overcome our reproach of sin, disease and death and God has clothed us with His splendor and majesty.

Biblical Example: Joseph

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat (covering) of many colors. ~ Genesis 37:3

And Pharaoh said unto his servants, can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? … And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring [seal of authority] from his hand and put it upon Joseph's hand and arrayed (clothed) him in vestures of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. ~ Genesis 41:38-42

Joseph is the biblical Example of glorification. The world betrayed Joseph. The world desired to kill him. The world sold Joseph into slavery. The world falsely accused Joseph of a crime that he did not commit. The world locked Joseph in a prison. The world abandoned Joseph and left him in prison. God overcame the world and glorified Joseph. God brought Joseph out of the prison of captivity. God clothed Joseph in clothing of splendor and majesty. God provided while the world starved. God accomplished His glorious plan of reunion and life. God accomplished what the world could not.

Like Joseph's road, the road to glorification is not an easy one. The world has rejected Jesus and as followers of Jesus we to will be rejected by the world. This is only proof that the world will suffer God's judgment and that the Christian will receive of God's glory. Like Joseph, we need to remain steadfast and be loyal to God at all times and through all conditions. Joseph is indeed the human Biblical example of glory.

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September 27

Gospel

Gospel the "Good News"

Euaggelion (G2098) to announce good news, declare, bring, preach, glad tidings
Verses - Mark 1:1; Luke 4:18; Romans 1:1,9,15-16; 1 Corinthians 15:1; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Ephesians 1:13; Revelation 14:6
First Use:Genesis 3:24 and He (God) placed at the east of the garden Cherubims and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

This is the gospel, that despite the disobedience of man, God has kept “the way to the tree of life”.
Note: Jesus is the tree of life.

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom {that Jesus is the tree of life} and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. ~ Matthew 4:23

Gospel means “good news,” the good news of the resurrection of Jesus and through the death and resurrection of Jesus, reconciliation of man to God with eternal life. This is indeed good news. Sometimes the word gospel is mistakenly used to mean truth as in “what I'm telling you is the gospel truth”. It happens to be the truth that Jesus has risen from the dead and reconciled us to God, but gospel means good news. This is just how the news of Jesus should be presented, as good news. It is not bad news that God loves us and that our sins are forgiven. It is good news-the best of news.

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September 28

Grace

Grace - Individuality see also Law - Conformity

Charis (G5485) cheer, greeting, graciousness, gratitude, benefit, favor, freedom, individuality
Verses - Ruth 2:2; Proverbs 1:9; Luke 2:40; John 1:14; Acts 4:33; Romans 3:24; Revelation 1:4, 22:21
First Use:Genesis 6:7-8 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man and beast and the creeping thing and the fowls of the air, for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Grace is graciousness, it is freedom and it means individuality.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace (individuality) that is given to us … ~ Romans 12:6

Grace is individuality; the law is conformity. Grace is allowing another person to do something differently, to be an individual and to make mistakes. If it is even a mistake in the everlasting realm - do we really know how things are going to work out and what is a mistake and what isn't? Plus, we often learn more from our mistakes than we do from doing things “right”. Grace gives us the freedom to learn and to discover who we are who others are and most importantly who God is.

For instance, when someone is in a conversation or witnessing about God and another-person would say something
differently or even disagree with what is being said and they think that they could discuss the topic more
thoroughly, grace is to let them be themselves and do it their way and let them learn. God does this with us, He
can witness much better than we can and we often misrepresent God. God gives us the grace to learn who He is and
to grow in that knowledge.

We receive grace from God through what Jesus did for us at the cross; He reconciled us to a relationship with Himself. There is no grace for the nonbeliever; grace only extends from a relationship.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ~ Romans 5:1-2

One person has to know another to extend or receive grace. The absence of a relationship is the absence of grace.

The “law” gives us knowledge of sin.

… for by the law is the knowledge of sin. ~ Romans 3:20

Without the law some people might not know that murdering another human is sin and unacceptable to God. With the law comes the knowledge of who God is and what is acceptable to Him and what is not. Grace allows us to have a relationship with God while we find out who He is and how Holy and righteous He is.

Moreover the law (knowledge) entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace (freedom) did much more abound: ~ Romans 5:20

Grace does not cover sins, only the sacrifice of shed blood and death of Jesus completely removes sin and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Grace allows us to have an individual relationship with God; grace does not allow us to sin. God's grace allows us to gain knowledge of God and grace gives us the opportunity to repent from our sins.

Grace allows sinful man to have a relationship with God. It has often been said that we live in the era of grace, but it would be more accurate to say that we live in the era of repentance.

If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me (Paul) to you-ward: ~ Ephesians 3:2

The Apostle Paul, prior to becoming a Christian, was a persecutor of the Church. Paul is mentioning that the grace that God has given to him, is for a part in building the Church. Building the very Church that Paul tried previously to destroy. This is an era of God's grace and it is also the era of repentance and confession. Currently confession and repentance are required of every person.

And the times of this ignorance [ignorance of sin and of who God is] God winked at: but now [after the cross] commandeth all men everywhere to repent: ~ Acts 17:30

The Bible mentions three heavens (skies). Referred to as the First heaven is the sky where birds fly and clouds can be seen.

He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild donkeys quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation which sing among the branches. ~ Psalms 104:10-12

The second heaven is referred to as where the stars and celestial bodies are.

That in blessing I (God) will bless thee (Abraham) and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven and as the sand which is upon the sea shore … Genesis 22:17

Prior to the invention of the telescope, there were approximately 7,000 visible stars and of course billions of grains of sand. Critics of the Bible often used this verse to try to claim that the Bible was inaccurate when comparing the number of stars to the number of grains of sand. Through the use of powerful telescopes, man is finding out what God always knew, that there are billions and billions of stars instead of just the 7,000 plus visible stars.

The third heaven is exclusively referred to as where God resides in power, majesty and glory. Heaven is where God is acknowledged and obeyed.

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name. ..Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven. ~ Matthew 6:9-10

When we acknowledge God as our Father, we experience heaven here on earth.

It is not expedient for me (Apostle Paul) doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, whether in the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth; such an one caught up to the third heaven. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:1-2

The Apostle Paul was momentarily taken into heaven. Heaven was so incredible that he was not able to describe either the sights or the sounds of heaven. Earthly man is not able to comprehend the “third” heaven.

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God beside Thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him. ~ Isaiah 64:4

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September 30

Hell

Hell is away from the perceivable presence of God

Abussos (G12) bottomless pit
Hades (G86) grave, place of departed souls
Geenna (G1067) place of everlasting punishment
Tartaroo (G5020) deepest abyss of Hades, cast down to hell
Verses - Psalms 9:17; Isaiah 5:14 57:9; Matthew 5:22 23:15; Acts 2:27; James 3:6; Revelation 1:18 6:8 20:13-14
First Use:Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep (Abussos). And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

For a fire is kindled in mine anger and shall burn unto the lowest hell and shall consume the earth with her increase and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. ~ Deuteronomy 32:22

He [King David] seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption [decay]. ~ Acts 2:31

For if God spared not the [fallen] Angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; ~ 2 Peter 2:4

Hell is the opposite of Heaven. Because sin is not present in Heaven, God is revealing Himself in splendor, majesty and glory. Hell is where sin has not been dealt with. Anything that is considered unclean is to be cleansed with blood, or passed through fire, this includes people. People who have rejected the cleansing offer of Jesus' blood now, will spend eternity in fire and because of their own uncleanness they are not able to approach the Holy God.

Hell is described in its entirety in the Bible. Darkness, burning, loneliness, unending thirst, agony and worms that will not die. That is Hell no more and no less. No streets of gold no dwellings no structure no society just death, darkness and torment, void of the presence, glory and comfort of God.